Wenger – Arsenal Don’t Need West Ham’s Payet

Arsene Wenger has given his strongest indication yet that Arsenal are unlikely to move into the transfer market before the end of the month.

Not only has he played down an interest in Dimitri Payet – he said Arsenal don’t need him – he’s confirmed he would expect the remainder of January to be ‘a very quiet period’ in fact.

Wenger had admitted he does rate Payet highly – who has made it clear he wants to leave West Ham amidst interest from former club Marseille – but isn’t interested in signing the West Ham man.

Questioned on a potential move for Payet in his conference ahead of Burnley at the weekend Wenger was quoted by the Evening Standard as saying.

‘I don’t need Payet. I rate Payet as a player but it’s not an area where we look. We have many players who can play in this position. You’re interested by the quality of the player but we have no need in this domain.’

Payet was flavour of the month last season but this one hasn’t gone well for him or West Ham. In fairness Wenger’s probably right that Arsenal don’t need the Frenchman in all honesty isn’t he?

I know players do it all the time but I certainly wouldn’t want Payet to join the Gunners having refused to play for West Ham in order to force through a transfer away from the Hammers. There aren’t many other ‘jobs’ where you could refuse to do what you’re paid for and still pick up your money!

In typical Wenger fashion – if he’s right or wrong will be determined by how the season pans out – he went on to say the return to fitness of Danny Welbeck means he doesn’t need to bring in another forward and probably isn’t going to sign anyone at all.

‘I expect it to be a very quiet period. We have [Danny] Welbeck coming back offensively and we are very strong. We have many players who can come in. I don’t expect to do anything special.’

Like I’ve said how the season unfolds will determine – assuming Wenger doesn’t dip into the transfer market to boost the squad – if this decision is the right one.

Currently Arsenal’s best chance of silverware – you can’t rule out a Champions League win mind – would be with the FA Cup once again. The Gunners’ fourth round opponents were confirmed as being Southampton on Wednesday when they scored an added time winner to beat Norwich.

Arsenal will head to St Mary’s on Saturday 28th January for this 5:30pm kick off with the Saints.